Being 12 means being full of energy, curiosity, and motivation to do something and while you’re still a kid, that doesn’t mean you can’t start making your own money, without having to depend financially on your parents. Whether it’s putting your creativity to work or opening a lemonade stand in the scorching heat of summer, the options are limitless and unique in their own way. The key is to find something that aligns well with your interests, schedule, and personality, and with a little support from an adult, start making money that’ll help you for years to come.
Pet Sitting or Dog Walking
If you love to spend your time around pets or are fond of looking after them, consider making money through pet sitting or dog walking. Many neighbours may go on short trips, have long hours, or have other work or personal commitments which can make it difficult to be with their pets.
Your services can include being with your furry friends while the owners are away, feeding them pet food, cleaning up after them, or taking them out for a walk. Not only does working as a pet sitter help you build healthy relationships and networks within the neighborhood, it can also boost your confidence and self-esteem.
Yard Work and Gardening Help
Many elderly people or those busy with their work commitments may struggle with keeping their yards and lawns clean and organized. This brings the opportunity for you to work as a yard cleaner and offer help with gardening under supervision.
This option to make money is suitable for 12 year olds as it doesn’t require fancy equipment or years of expertise, just the willingness to get something done can do the job.
Sell Homemade Crafts or Art
Make money through selling handmade crafts like handmade jewellery, home decor, or painting. This option perfectly combines passion for creativity with income, making it a considerable option for 12 year olds.
You can start by selling your goods to friends and family and later expanding your business by advertising the goods in a local fair or online marketplace like Etsy, all under the supervision of a parent or an adult.
People often prefer handmade goods over industrially manufactured crafts as handmade items have a story to tell and uniqueness that sets them apart.
Bake and Sell Treats
With a parent’s or an adult’s help in the kitchen, you can make cookies, brownies, muffins, or other sweet treats and sell them to neighbors, family, or even at school events. People love homemade goodies, making them a considerable option to start somewhere.
You can decorate them in fun themes, take custom orders, or even create a cute little menu to attract more customers. Baking and selling goodies as a side hustle can help you learn valuable skills like planning, handling money, and customer service, which can prove beneficial later in life.
Help with Tech Tasks
Many adults may find figuring out apps, social media settings, or even how to move photos from one device to another a real headache. But kids in today’s world know their way around tech, whether it’s setting up email accounts, installing apps, or using Zoom or FaceTime, tasks related to tech are a piece of cake for them.
It might not sound like a real job, but to someone who’s confused by their smartphone, your help is priceless. Just be sure to ask your parents before helping strangers and always have an adult nearby.
Start a YouTube Channel or Blog
Share your passion with the world through a kid-friendly YouTube channel or blog and turn it into something special and meaningful. With your parent’s permission and supervision, you can start creating videos or writing posts about the things you love.
At first, it might just be a fun project but as you grow your audience, you could earn money through ads, sponsorships, or affiliate links.
Do Odd Jobs for Family Members
There’s always something that needs to be done around the house, and while these small tasks might not seem like a big deal to adults, they can feel like a huge help when life gets busy. Whether it’s organizing a messy kitchen drawer, washing the car, or helping your little sibling with their reading practice, these everyday chores add up and make life a little smoother for everyone.
If you’re not sure where to start, just ask your parents, grandparents, or even aunts and uncles if there’s anything they need help with and most of the time, they’ll be happy to give you a task you can work on.
Babysitting with a Parent Nearby
While babysitting is often thought of as a job for older teens, there are definitely ways for a responsible 12-year-old to start helping out, especially when there’s an adult close by. You might play with a toddler during a family dinner, read a bedtime story while the parents finish up a work call, or help keep a baby calm while the parents finish up their household chores.
Every time you help care for a younger child, you’re learning skills like patience, communication, and problem-solving, helping you become someone others can rely on.
Recycling for Cash
If you care about the environment and want a simple way to earn money that also helps your community, recycling is a great place to start. Many states in the U.S. offer cash in exchange for returning cans and bottles, and while it might not seem like much at first, it really does add up over time.
You can begin by collecting recyclables from your own house, then maybe ask your neighbors, friends, or even your school if they’d be willing to save their bottles and cans for you.
Create Digital Art or Designs
If you love drawing, doodling, or coming up with colorful designs on your tablet or computer, consider the possibility of turning that creativity into something you can share and even sell. More and more kids are discovering how fun and rewarding it can be to create things like digital stickers, printable coloring pages, simple art prints, or even profile pictures for friends.
With a little help from a parent, you can explore safe websites or online platforms where you can post or sell your work. It’s a great way to learn how to build something from your own imagination and feel proud of what you’ve made.
Offer Help to Elderly Neighbors
Sometimes, the most meaningful jobs are the ones where you’re simply being kind. Many older neighbors could use a helping hand now and then, whether it’s carrying groceries up the steps, pulling out weeds from their garden, watering their plants when they’re away, or even just sitting and chatting for a few minutes.
These moments may seem small to you, but they can be a big deal to someone who lives alone or just needs a bit of companionship. Before offering your help, talk with your parents so they know what you plan to do and can make sure everything is safe and appropriate. The rewards might not always come as cash, sometimes it’s a homemade cookie or a heartfelt thank you, but you’ll feel the joy of truly making someone’s day a little brighter.
Sell Old Toys, Books, or Clothes
With your parents’ help, go through your belongings and create a small pile of things you can sell, whether it’s through a yard sale, a community swap event, or by posting items online with adult supervision.
Not only does this help you make space for things that matter more to you now, but it also teaches you about letting go, valuing what you have, and even how to talk to people and make fair deals.
Tutor Younger Kids
If you’re good at a subject like reading, math, or science, you can use what you know to help someone younger. Kids just starting school sometimes need a little extra help, and your support can make a bigger difference than you may realize.
Tutoring doesn’t just help them do better in school, it also helps you build confidence, improve how you explain things, and feel proud that someone looks up to you.
Seasonal Jobs
Each season comes with small jobs that people around you might need help with. In summer, selling lemonade or cold drinks can be fun and simple, fall is a great time to rake leaves or help decorate porches, in winter, neighbors might need help with wrapping up gifts or clearing out snow from their walkways, and when spring comes, offering to plant flowers or clean out garages can be a great way to earn money.
These jobs are short and change with the seasons, so they never feel boring, plus, they’re a great way to stay active, meet new people, and earn a little extra while doing something helpful.
Conclusion
Making money as a 12-year-old is less about having extra cash to spend and more about exploring what you enjoy, learning how to manage your time, and start becoming more independent. Every small job you try helps you learn a little more about how the world works and what you’re capable of. You don’t need to do everything right away, just pick one idea that feels fun or interesting and talk to your parents about how to start. With their support and your effort, you’ll grow more confident and skilled, and along the way, you’ll realize that earning money is also about discovering what makes you feel proud, creative, and capable in the long run.
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